Discerning Voices

Daughter came home with her standard complaint when she is stressed. She was hearing voices. There was a time when this sent me into a panic. That day is long past. So I asked a few questions. Her "voices" sound to me like racing thoughts brought on by guilt and anxiety. I explained what I thought was going on, and she acknowledged I was right. I told her she needed to get her ipod and set it to play her Christmas music. If she is still complaining after Christmas, I may talk to the Psychiatrist to see if this is breakthrough mania that needs to be treated. For now, though, I'm going to teach her coping skills.

As I began to prepare to make peppermint bark tonight, she kept insisting she would do it. I kept thanking her for the offer but telling I would do it. Finally, the confession came. She assured me this morning she hadn't been into anything that had caused her blood sugar to be over 200. Actually, she'd taken the vanilla bark upstairs, and eaten a square of it. I thanked her for telling me the truth. She told me she was afraid to tell me the truth. I asked why she was afraid, and asked if I ever screamed and hollered at her when she finally told me the truth. She admitted I didn't, but couldn't explain her fear. I asked if it would be easier if I did scream and holler at her. She couldn't explain it all.

Amazingly, once she told me the truth, her mood lightened. She went downstairs and brought up some things from the basement. She later told me that the voices had been telling her all day that she was going to fall. I've often wondered if some of her accidents and injuries were attention seeking devices. I think I have the answer now. She maneuvered the stairs without falling, and is now singing as she works.

She has also decreed that this will be the last Christmas Open House. I'm inclined to agree with her at this point, but will probably change my mind. I do enjoy having all the people stop in, even though it is a great deal of work getting ready for it.

The beautiful wreath in the picture was a gift from one of the saints. She and her sister made it for me the other night. We now have a Christmas tree, some nativity scenes, and a wreath for our Christmas decorations. I miss the village a little bit, but not enough to go drag it out of the attic. I'm determined that this is going to be a less stressed Christmas. We are not going to worry about getting the upstairs ready for the open house this year. There is plenty of room downstairs.